Pep Rally and the Smokers

You would be hard-pressed to find a football team that doesn't have a pep rally the day before a game, but the Irish's pep rallies are something special.

After the students and alumni are stuffed from the Kickoff Luncheon, they head to the Irish Green to enjoy the festivities.

Notre Dame's cheerleaders, band, football team and coaching staff all head down to the pep rally for its electric atmosphere and to hear a guest speaker.

Although the location of the pep rallies have moved around quite a bit, the Irish Green is a perfect setting. But regardless of where the rallies are held, the emotion exhibited by students and fans at the event will never change.

A lesser-known treat of the football weekend in South Bend is the Notre Dame Smokers. Originally held to promote the football team, the Smokers are sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council No. 553, and have been going on for 68 years.

Located in the Sacred Heart Parish Center, the Smokers provide food, memorabilia and entertainment for Irish fans and alumni, and there is often a special guest.

Proceeds from the Smokers go to the Ara Parseghian Medical Foundation and other local charities.

The Team Mass

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There is no forgetting that Notre Dame is a Catholic university. Notre Dame certainly has room for all faiths among the student population, but throughout the campus there are reminders of the school's Catholic tradition.

Everything from the mural dubbed "Touchdown Jesus" on the wall of the Hesburgh Library to the sanctuary of prayer for students and faculty at the Grotto are reminders of Notre Dame's religious affiliation.

And before each game, the football team has its own religious tradition. A few hours before game time, the team gathers in the Basilica for the private team mass.

There are multiple opportunities to attend a public mass before or after games, but the team mass gives the Irish a chance at serenity before moving on to the hectic environment at Notre Dame Stadium.

Walk to the Stadium

The helmets aren't the only things that have changed in 2011. The team walk has as well.

Now, after mass at the Basilica, the team doesn't walk straight to the stadium. Instead, the Irish board buses and head to a team meeting at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex. Then, the Irish walk from the complex to the Hesburgh Library before arriving at Notre Dame Stadium.

The team walk is one of Notre Dame's great traditions. The team is surrounded by thousands of students and fans who want a chance to see the Irish before the team takes the field.

The Student Section

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The loudest cheers in Notre Dame Stadium without a doubt come from the student section.

The loyal student population stand throughout the game, and if you happen to look into the student section after a Notre Dame touchdown, then you will see the students celebrating the score with airborne push-ups—one for each point the team has scored.

The students also react to the "1812 Overture" with arms swaying, they dance when the band plays "Rakes of Mallow," chop to the theme of Darth Vader and dangle their keys in the air on important plays.

The football team undoubtedly makes Saturdays in South Bend special, but the student section does as well (which is why they are honored with the greatest tradition at Notre Dame).

The band plays throughout the week, at the pep rallies, in the Golden Dome of the administration building (trumpets), Saturday on the steps of Bond Hall and of course, at the football game.

During the game the band can be heard playing the fight song, "1812 Overture," at the end of the third quarter and the alma mater at the end of the game.

Whether it is the Irish Guard performing the Victory Clog to "Damsha Bua" after a win, the Drummers Circle or just the band's performances during the week, the band contributes greatly to the liveliness of the football traditions at Notre Dame.